No. 12 is the best ever at his position and leads the NFL in passing yards (2,807) through 10 weeks at age 40. With the current state of the Raiders’ secondary, suffering health- and injury-wise, this should be a walk in the park for New England’s quarterback. Oakland will need a heroic performance from its six defensive backs expected to see the field tomorrow if it wants any chance of winning.

That group – cornerbacks TJ Carrie, Sean Smith and Dexter McDonald, along with safeties Reggie Nelson, Karl Joseph and Obi Melifonwu – need to muster up some sort of formula to slow Brady, because stopping him entirely is impossible. Brady owns a 19:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio, the second most touchdown passes and second-fewest picks for any starting quarterback.

The Raiders have yet to grab an interception this season and will have trouble doing so again on Sunday.

2. Which Derek Carr will the Raiders get?

If the Carr who showed up against the likes of Washington and Buffalo comes to play on Sunday, the Raiders have no chance. If No. 4 turns in a performance like he did against the Chiefs and maybe even the Dolphins, then Oakland might be in business.

The most realistic hope the Raiders have of contending against the defending Super Bowl champions is to win in an offensive shootout. Despite allowing 17 or fewer points in the last five games, New England has the worst pass defense in the NFL in terms of yards allowed per game. Carr should have his way – if his receivers can hold onto the ball.

Now is the time for the fourth-year signal-caller to re-write his 2017 narrative after a lackluster first nine games if the Raiders want to contend for the playoffs.

3. Can Khalil Mack have a breakout game?

Patriots’ starting right tackle Marcus Cannon is out with an ankle injury, which opens the door for a Mack breakout game.

He hasn’t had one yet this year despite being the Raiders’ best defensive player, but that’s not saying much with this team. Brady has been sacked 22 times this season, tied for 12th-most among starting quarterbacks, and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year needs to capitalize on his mismatch if the Raiders wan’t to startle Brady even slightly.

Mack only has 4.5 sacks this year and hasn’t recorded a full one in the last five games.

Matt Schneidman joined the Bay Area News Group in September 2017 to cover the Oakland Raiders. He graduated from Syracuse University in Spring 2017 and has interned with The Buffalo News, the New York Post and USA TODAY.

Ex-Raider Warren Sapp and former 49er Eric Davis are among former NFL Network employees and on-air personalities charged with sexual harassment in a lawsuit brought by a former wardrobe stylist for the network.